User interface element consistency across cloud-based applications

ABSTRACT

In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus having at least one data processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause requesting a configuration of a user interface element associated with a user interface of an application being executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus; presenting a configuration user interface to enable configuration of the user interface element, the configuration user interface including at least one option for configuring the user interface element and an indication of whether a selected option is to be applied at runtime, to just the application or a plurality of applications; and presenting, during runtime of at least the application, the user interface element in accordance with the at least one option and/or the indication selected via the configuration user interface. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to userinterfaces.

BACKGROUND

The design of user interfaces is becoming a central problem for large,complex systems. User interfaces are the bridge between applications andusers, and, as a result, have to cope with the complexities of both.With the advent of new technologies and user-centered concerns, the userinterface portion of interactive systems is becoming increasingly largeand complex. Faster and more capable machines and networks are providingusers with more functionalities and more information, but at the sametime overwhelming users (as well as the corresponding processors andnetworks) with more commands and options presented via the userinterface.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus having at leastone data processor and at least one memory storing instructions which,when executed by the at least one data processor, cause requesting aconfiguration of a user interface element associated with a userinterface of an application being executed at, or accessed by, theapparatus; presenting a configuration user interface to enableconfiguration of the user interface element, the configuration userinterface including at least one option for configuring the userinterface element and an indication of whether a selected option is tobe applied at runtime, to just the application or a plurality ofapplications; and presenting, during runtime of at least theapplication, the user interface element in accordance with the at leastone option and/or the indication selected via the configuration userinterface.

In some variations, one or more features disclosed herein including thefollowing features can optionally be included in any feasiblecombination. For the plurality of applications being executed at, oraccessed by, the apparatus, other user interface elements may bepresented in accordance with the at least one option and/or theindication selected via the configuration user interface. The requestingmay include sending, to a server, a message including an identity of theuser interface element being executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus.The message may be sent in response to an indication of a graphicalindicator being selected, wherein the graphical indicator triggers theconfiguration of the user interface element, and wherein the graphicalindicator is presented adjacent to the user interface element toindicate that the user interface element is configurable by an end-userat runtime. A first input may be received, and the first input maycorrespond to the at least one option presented on the configurationuser interface. Moreover, a second input may be received, and the secondinput may correspond to the indication of whether the selected option isto be applied to just the application or the plurality of applications,wherein the indication may be presented on the configuration userinterface. At least the first input, the second input, and the identityof the user interface element may be sent to the server. The apparatusmay receive, from the server and in response to the sending, informationto enable presenting, at the apparatus, the configuration userinterface. The configuration user interface may include a first elementcausing the selected option is to be applied to just the application, asecond element causing the selected option is to be applied to theplurality of applications, a third element causing the select option tobe applied to other user interface elements displayed on a same screenas the user interface of the application being executed at, or accessedby, the apparatus. The configuration user interface may include a fourthelement causing the selected option to be applied to only the same typeof user interface elements as the user interface of the applicationbeing executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus, and the configurationuser interface may include a fifth element causing the selected optionto be applied to similar types of user interface elements as the userinterface element of the application being executed at, or accessed by,the apparatus.

Implementations of the current subject matter can include, but are notlimited to, methods consistent with the descriptions provided herein aswell as articles that comprise a tangibly embodied machine-readablemedium operable to cause one or more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) toresult in operations implementing one or more of the described features.Similarly, computer systems are also described that may include one ormore processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or moreprocessors. A memory, which can include a non-transitorycomputer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, may include,encode, store, or the like one or more programs that cause one or moreprocessors to perform one or more of the operations described herein.Computer implemented methods consistent with one or more implementationsof the current subject matter can be implemented by one or more dataprocessors residing in a single computing system or multiple computingsystems. Such multiple computing systems can be connected and canexchange data and/or commands or other instructions or the like via oneor more connections, including, for example, to a connection over anetwork (e.g. the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a local areanetwork, a wide area network, a wired network, or the like), via adirect connection between one or more of the multiple computing systems,etc.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims. While certain features of the currently disclosed subject matterare described for illustrative purposes in relation to web applicationuser interfaces, it should be readily understood that such features arenot intended to be limiting. The claims that follow this disclosure areintended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matterdisclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain someof the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In thedrawings,

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system for providing user interfaceconsistency, in accordance with some implementations;

FIGS. 2A-2D depict examples of user interfaces, in accordance with someimplementations;

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a process flow for enabling user interfaceconsistency, in accordance with some implementations;

FIG. 4 depicts another example of a process flow for enabling userinterface consistency, in accordance with some implementations;

FIG. 5A depicts a block diagram illustrating a computing system, inaccordance with some implementations; and

FIGS. 5B-5C depict additional examples, in accordance with someimplementations.

When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures,features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Consistency among user interfaces is an issue in the domain of userinterfaces. Consistency may be considered a user interfacecharacteristic which seeks to have the same types of informationpresented in the same or similar way across the application's userinterface(s). This information may include user interface elements forreceiving user input and/or presenting system output to users. Theconsistency of the user interface may pertain to the generallook-and-feel of the user interface and the specific types of graphicaluser interfaces elements for the manipulation or presentation ofinformation.

With the advent of cloud computing, user interface consistency is evenmore of an issue. For example, an end-user may, as part of performing atask or workflow, have to access dozens of applications, each of whichmay have one, if not many, user interfaces. These applications may befrom different vendors, provide different functions, and/or correspondto different releases cycles from the same vendor or provider. As such,the end-user is likely faced with the prospect of inconsistency amongthe user interfaces across various applications or application parts(e.g. distributed across multiple screens or pages). Theseinconsistencies can lead to an increase in the burden on users,processors, and networks.

In some implementations, there is provided a way to provide consistencyamong user interfaces across one or more applications.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system 100, in accordance with someimplementations. The system 100 may include a cloud-based server system150 (referred to herein also as the “server”) coupled to a network 170(e.g., the Internet, a wireless network, an intranet, other types ofcommunication media, or a combination thereof). The user equipment 180Amay couple to the server 150 via the network 170 to obtain or access atleast one cloud-based application (also referred to herein as the“application”) 160A-N. These applications 160A-N may be accessed by auser equipment (and executed at the server 150) and/or may be downloadedand executed at a corresponding user equipment.

The user equipment, such as user equipment 180A-N, may be implemented asa computer, a tablet, a smartphone, a cellphone, an Internet of Things(IoT) device, and/or other types of devices, which may include, or becoupled to, a display, such as displays 182A-N, upon which a userinterface can be presented. The user interfaces may provide userinterface views (also referred to as user interfaces) for theapplication currently being accessed, executed, and/or viewed at theuser equipment. For example, user equipment 180A may be accessing acloud-based application 160A, which may provide at least one userinterface for a corresponding application. It is via the user interfacethat interaction (e.g., selection, data input, and/or the like) with theapplication may take place.

FIG. 2A depicts an example of a user interface 200 corresponding toapplication A 160A. The user interface 200 may be presented at display182A, during runtime when the user equipment is accessing or executingapplication 160A. In the example of FIG. 2A, the user interface 200 mayinclude graphical user interface elements (also referred to as “userinterface elements” or “elements”) for user name, password, gender 205,address, and/or the like. The gender user interface element 205 is aselection element enabling a selection from among a group of choices.The user interface element 205 is a selection element enabling aselection from among a group of choices, which in this example isrelated to the gender attribute, although other types of attributes maybe configured as well (e.g., car type at FIG. 2C).

Referring again to FIG. 1, the configurator 152 may allow configurationof a user interface element for a current application being executed orbeing accessed. In some implementations, the configurator may enable anend-user to, at runtime, configure for consistency the user interfaceelement(s) residing on the same screen or page being viewed throughout asingle application and/or across applications. Alternatively oradditionally, the configurator 152 may allow configuration of a userinterface element across some, if not all, applications being executedor being accessed. However, during design time the provider and/orvendor of the application(s) may enable whether certain user interfaceelements can be configured by the configurator 152 at runtime asdisclosed herein. In this way, the end-user can control the consistencyof the user interfaces being used across one or more applications andeven across applications provided by different providers or vendors.

In the example of FIG. 1, the configurator 152 may allow theconfiguration of four user interface elements 154A-D. For a given userinterface element 154B for example, the configuration 154B may providetwo options 156 for that user interface element. When option 2 isselected for application 160A, the configurator 152 may provideapplication 160A with configuration information for option 2 to enablethe application 160A to be rendered dynamically at runtime with option2. In some implementations, applications may provide to server 150 (or arepository coupled to server 150) options for one or more user interfaceelements, so that during runtime applications can be rendereddynamically with a consistent interface as configured by the end-uservia the configurator 152.

To illustrate further with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the userequipment 180A may be accessing and/or executing application A 160A atthe server 150. The application 160A may have at least one userinterface 200 as shown in FIG. 2A. In this example, the gender userinterface element 205 (which represents configuration information forinteraction control 154B) includes a selection between male and female(which represents two optional values for the attribute gender). And,element 205 includes a graphical indicator 207 to indicate that theassociated element 205 is allowed to be configured, at runtime and bythe end-user, for consistency by the options provided by theconfigurator 152.

In the example of FIG. 2A, the graphical indicator element 207 isadjacent to the user interface element 205 to indicate graphically thatelement 205 is allowed to be configured, at runtime and by the end-user(so elements without an adjacent graphical element 207 may not beconfigurable by configurator 152 as disclosed herein). The graphicalindicator 207 may be selected, via the user interface 200, to enable theconfiguration of the gender user interface element 205. In someimplementations, the graphical indicator 207 is only present on the userinterface, when the adjacent graphical user interface element is enabledfor runtime configuration as described herein.

When the graphical indicator 207 is selected for example, theconfigurator 152 may provide the different types (e.g., configurationoptions 154B and 156) of interaction control, which can be selected viaa configuration user interface for the gender user interface element205. These options 156 may be defined at 150 during design time of theapplications 160A-N, so that at runtime of an application a user'sselection of the graphical indicator 207 enables the properconfiguration of the user interface element.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the interaction control options forselection. As noted, the user interface element options (while providingsingle selection, multiple selection, editing of tabular data, and/orthe like) represent different variants of user interface design. Forexample, the layout or combined shapes of the user interface elementparts which comprise the design of this user interface element, whilepreserving in each case the identical attributes and values of theinformation which is handled through any of these user interfaceelements.

During the runtime of the user interface 200 when a selection of thegraphical indicator 207 is received for example, this selection maytrigger a message (which may include an identifier of the applicationbeing configured) to be sent to the configurator, which triggers theconfigurator 152 to respond by providing for example the type options156 for identified application, which in this example is the gender userinterface element 205. In the current example, the type options includea radio button 212, drop down 214, toggle 216, slider 218, and/or othertypes of interaction or selection control, although other type of userinterface elements may be provided.

In the example of FIG. 2B, the user interface element option which usesradio buttons 212 is selected via the configuration user interface 211.And, an indication of the selection may be sent as a message to theconfigurator 152. This message may also include the identity of theapplication. Had another option been selected, such as 214, 216, and/orthe like, a corresponding indication would have been sent as a messageto the configurator 152. In some implementations, the configuration userinterface 211 is presented adjacent to, or on the same display screenas, the graphical user interface element being configured, which in thisexample is the gender element 205.

Although the previous example describes the graphical indicator 207triggering the configuration user interface 211, at runtime and by theend-user, the configuration user interface 211 may be triggered in otherways as well. For example, the graphical indicator may be presented atthe location of a configurable user interface element only after aprevious trigger command by a user, thus displaying graphical indicatorsonly by request and only for user interface elements which can beconfigured at all).

Although some of the examples refer to certain types of user interfaceelements, these are merely examples as other types, such as a pull downmenu, a drop down list box, a pull down menu, and/or any other type ofhuman to computer interface mechanism for input and/or output) may beused as well.

The configuration selected at 212 may also be applied to just theapplication A 160A. In the example of FIG. 2B, the “This App” 220selection indicates that the configuration selected at 212 is applied tojust the application A 160A. And, an indication of the just “This App”220 can be sent to the configurator 152. In the case of “This App” 220being selected, the radio button 212 configuration may be applied tosome (if not all) user interfaces of the overall application 160A.Alternatively or additionally, when the “same only” element 226 isselected, the radio button 212 configuration may be applied to some (ifnot all) occurrences of only the same type of user interface element,such as the gender selection element 205, in the application 160A.Alternatively or additionally, when the “same or similar” element 225 isselected, the radio button 212 configuration may be applied to some (ifnot all) occurrences of the same or similar types of user interfaceelements, such as some if not all selection related user interfaceelements, in the application 160A. In this way, the configurator enablesconsistent user interfaces to be generated at a user equipment when itaccesses or executes an application such as application 160A.

If however, all applications (labeled “All Apps”) is selected at 222,the configuration selected at 212 may be applied to some (if not all) ofthe user interfaces of the applications 160A-N executed or accessed atuser equipment 180A. Alternatively or additionally, when the “same only”element 226 is selected, the radio button 212 configuration may beapplied to some (if not all) occurrences of only the same type of userinterface element, such as the gender selection element 205, inapplications 160A-N. Alternatively or additionally, when the “same orsimilar” element 227 is selected, the radio button 212 configuration maybe applied to some (if not all) occurrences of the same or similar typesof user interface elements, such as some if not all selection relateduser interface elements, in applications 160A-N. The selection 222 maybe sent to the configurator 152.

If the “This Screen” element 223 is selected, the configuration selectedat 212 may be applied to some (if not all) of the user interfacesdisplayed within the same display screen as the gender element 205. Forexample, the radio button selection 212 may be applied to other userinterfaces presented at the same time with user interface 200 at display182A. The selection 223 may be sent to the configurator 152.

In some implementations, the configuration user interface 211 may enableselection of conditions for the application of the configuration of theuser interface element. For example, the selection of radio buttons forthe gender element 205 may have conditions which must be satisfiedbefore the configuration is applied at runtime. To illustrate further,the option may specify that the radio button should be applied duringcertain times of day, when the user is logged in remotely or via amobile device having a smaller screen, and/or the like. A condition maybe mapped to a context. For example, a context defining a user-role maybe mapped, at the configurator 152, to certain configuration options,such as options 156 and/or the like. Likewise, the context defining userequipment type may also be mapped, at the configurator 152, to certainconfiguration options. Likewise, a context defining a currentenvironment associated with the user equipment (e.g., noisy, poorlightning, high rates of vibration, and/or shock) may be mapped, at theconfigurator 152, to certain configuration options. To illustratefurther, the context information associated with the user operating theuser equipment may represent metadata which can be used to define whichoptions to provide for a given user interface element. Moreover, themapping of context (or metadata) to options can be defined at designtime for an application, and then provided, by the configurator 152, toa user equipment to enable the configuration of the user equipment. FIG.2C depicts an example of a user interface 230 associated with theapplication 160B. In the example of FIG. 2C, the radio button 212configuration was applied to “All Apps” 220 as shown at FIG. 2B. As canbe seen, user interface includes radio buttons for the graphical userelements associated with a selection interaction with the userinterface, such as car type 232, price range 234, and gender 236. Inthis way, the configurator 152 enables consistent user interfaces to begenerated at a user equipment.

Alternatively or additionally, the radio button selection 212 may beapplied to all occurrences of the gender selection in some (if not all)of the applications 160A-N, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2D. Thegender user interface element 236 is configured as a radio button basedon the selection 212 (FIG. 2A), but other selection types, such astoggle and/or the like, are used for the car type 242 and price range244. In this way, the configurator enables consistent user interfaces tobe generated at a user equipment.

In some implementations, the options selected via the configuration userinterface may be applied by having the configurator 152 provide metadatato the corresponding application(s) being accessed, or executed, toenable the application(s) to make the user interface configurations forthe end-user.

FIG. 3 depicts a process 300 flow for a user equipment implementing userinterface consistency, in accordance with some example implementations.The description of FIG. 3 also refers to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.

At 310, a request is made for a configuration of a user interfaceelement associated with a first application being executed at, oraccessed by, a user equipment. For example, the user equipment 182A maybe displaying 180A the user interface 200 associated with application160A. To request configuration of the user interface element 205 (whichin this example is the gender selection user interface element), thegraphical user interface element 207 can be selected, via the userinterface, to request the configuration of the user interface element205. This selection may also trigger a message (which may include theidentity of the application 160A and the identity of the user interfaceelement 205) to be sent to the configurator 152, which in this exampleresponds with the configuration options 156 (e.g., radio button,dropdown, and/or the like as noted above) for that element 205.

At 315, a configuration user interface may be presented to enableconfiguration of the user interface element 205. For example, the userequipment 180A may present the configuration user interface 211 shown atFIG. 2B. The configuration user interface 211 may include the optionsfor configuring that specific user interface element 205 and theapplication 160A. In this example, these options include the radiobutton 212, drop down 214, toggle 216, slider 218, and/or other types.

Although the previous example refers to a selection user interfaceelement, other types of user interface elements may be used as well. Forexample, checkboxes, toggle switches, drop down lists, data inputfields, and/or any other type of user interface elements (or technique)may be used as well.

Moreover, the configuration user interface 211 may, as noted, enableconfiguration of whether the configuration of the user interface elementshould be applied to just the application 160A or to all otherapplications. For example, the “This App” 220 selection indicates thatthe configuration selected at 212 is to be applied to just the currentapplication being configured, such as application A 160A. If the “AllApps” is selected at 222, the configuration selected at 212 may beapplied to some (if not all) of the user interfaces of the applications160A-N executed or accessed at user equipment 180. In someimplementations, when the same only element 226 is selected, theconfiguration selected at 212 is applied to other occurrences of thesame type graphical user interface element, such as all gender selectionuser interface elements, while in other implementations, when the sameor similar element 225 is selected, the configuration selected at 212 isapplied to other similar selection related user interface elements.

In some implementations, the user interface consistency control may beapplied to user interface elements residing on the same screen or page(referred to herein as intra-screen). Alternatively or additionally, theuser interface consistency control may be applied to user interfaceelements throughout a single application (referred to herein asintra-application). Alternatively or additionally, the user interfaceconsistency control may be applied to user interface elements acrossapplications (referred to herein as inter-application). In someimplementations, the end-user may configure, via a user interface and/orat runtime, whether the selected configuration is intra-screen,intra-application, and/or inter-application.

At 317, a first input may be received indicating a selection of aconfiguration option for the user interface element and the applicationbeing configured. For example, the first input may be in response to aselection at configuration user interface 211 (FIG. 2B) of a radiobutton 212 option.

At 319, a second input may be received indicating whether theconfiguration of the user interface element should be applied to justthe application 160A or to other applications. For example, the secondinput may be in response to a selection of configuration user interface211 (FIG. 2B) of “This App” 210. The first input and/or the second input(along with the identity of the application and/or the identity of theuser interface element being configured may be sent to the configurator152.

During runtime of the application, the user interface element may, at220, be presented at the user equipment configured in accordance withthe configuration selected at 317 and 319. If for example, the userinterface element 205 is configured for a radio button 212 option and isapplied to “This App” 220 (and the same only 226 element), each time theuser interface 200 is presented at application 160A, and the userinterface 200 is presented with radio buttons for the gender userinterface elements. Alternatively or additionally, the user interfaceelement 205 (which is configured for the radio button and applied tojust application 160A as indicated by the selection 220 and the same orsimilar 225 element) may be applied to all graphical user interfaceelements that require a selection type similar to the gender userinterface element 205.

If however, the user interface element 205 is configured for the radiobutton 212 and applied to “All Apps” 222, each time a user interface ispresented at user equipment 180A the user interface will be configuredwith radio buttons across all applications 160A-N. To illustratefurther, if user equipment 180A accesses or is executing application160B, the configurator 152 will indicate to application 160B to useradio buttons for selection of graphic user interface elements (and/oronly gender selection user interface elements). Likewise, if the userequipment 180A accesses or is executing application 160C, theconfigurator 152 will indicate to application 160C to use radio buttonsfor selection of graphic user interface elements (and/or only genderselection user interface elements).

Moreover, if the user interface element 205 is configured for the radiobutton 212 and applied to “This Screen” 223, each time a user interfaceis presented at user equipment 180A the user interface will beconfigured with radio buttons when the user interface is presented onthe same display 182A as the gender selection element 205.

FIG. 4 depicts a process 400 flow for a configurator 152 enabling userinterface consistency, in accordance with some example embodiments. Thedescription of FIG. 3 also refers to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.

At 410, the configurator 152 may receive a request for configurationoptions associated with a user interface element associated with anapplication. For example, configurator 152 may receive a message fromuser equipment 180A, and the message may identify the application (whichin this example is 160A) and identify the graphic user interface element(which in this example is the gender element 205) being configured as aresult of the selection at 207 (FIG. 2A). For each application andcorresponding graphical user interface, the configurator may identifythe options for the configuration (see, e.g., 154B and 156). Referringagain to the example of FIGS. 2A-2B, the gender element 205 may haveinteraction control options in the form of a radio button 212, drop down214, toggle 216, slider 218, although other types of interaction controlmay be used as well. In some implementations, the options for each userinterface element are kept in a repository at, or coupled, to the server150. The repository may list for each application the applicationcontrol elements 154A-N which can be configured via the configurator atruntime by an end-user. The repository may include metadata defining theoptions, such as 156, and the format for the option, such as 158. Insome implementations, providers or vendors of the application mayprovide the information for the repository.

At 415, configurator 152 may provide the requested configurationoptions. For example, configurator 152 may provide the options to theuser equipment 180A for display at 182A as the configurator userinterface 211 to enable selection of the configuration. In some exampleimplementations, the configuration may include a machine learning model,such as a neural network and/or other type of artificial intelligence,to propose options based on past behavior of the end-user (for example,past selections of user interface types by the users), the behavior ofother end-users (for example, past selections of user interface types byother users), and/or the current context at the user interface (forexample, the user interface element being configured as well as theother user interfaces at the application or screen/display).

At 420, the configurator 152 may receive the configurations selected forthe user interface element and the associated application(s). Inresponse to the selections described above 317 and 319, the configuratormay receive a message including the selections. For example, the messagemay indicate that the gender user interface element is configured with aradio button 212 and this configuration is only to be applied to theapplication 160A.

In response to the received configuration at 420, the configurator 152may provide information to an application's user interface controller toenable the configuration of user interfaces in accordance with thereceived configurations at 420. For example, the configurator 152 maysend a message to application 160A that at user equipment 180A the radiobutton should be used for the gender user interface element and/or otherselection related user interface elements. Supposing the configurationof radio button for example was for “All Apps” 222, the configurator 152would then send a message to any application 160A-N being accessed orexecuted by user equipment 180A to indicate that the radio button shouldbe used for the gender user interface element. This metadata may be fedback to a user via, for example, the configuration user interface 211.

Although the previous example refers to the “gender user interfaceelement,” this is merely an example as any type of user interfaceelement which can be used for input and/or output at a user interface,such as radio button, a drop down, a toggle, a slider, and/or any othertype of human computer interaction for input and/or output via the userinterface.

In some cloud-based applications, the configurator's 152 user interfaceconfiguration information may be shared among applications (includingapplications from different providers or vendors) using a set of definedrules or standards. Alternatively or additionally, a provider or vendorof an application may register a user interface element in a commonrepository to enable configuring consistency. For each user interfaceelement in the repository, the repository may include metadata regardingthe purpose and/or contexts in which the user interface element is meantto be used. The metadata may include user feedback regarding usersatisfaction or preference of the pertaining user interface element,resulting in an annotation or respective form of presentation to the enduser (e.g., arranging configuration options in a particular order (ofpreference or the like)).

Although FIG. 1 shows the configurator 152 at the server 150, theconfigurator 152 may also operate, at least in part, at the userequipment to enable configuration of user interface(s) across at leaston application being accessed or executed at the user equipment.

In some implementations, an end-user can configure a desired level ofconsistency among user interface elements, and this consistency can beprovided dynamically at runtime. Moreover, this control can beimplemented laterally across the applications the end-user may access,rather than having to force the end-user to, for example, cumbersomelynavigate across disparate configuration user interfaces. To illustrate,when an application is being developed, the designer may specify, forone or more user interface elements, the type of interaction on aconceptual level, which may be independent from the user interfaceelement's ultimate visual or graphical manifestation, such as thespecific options provided for a given user interface element. Toillustrate further, an end-user may be able to select from a pluralityof options which match the requirements defined conceptually by thedesigner at design time. The options may be obtained from a registry orrepository, and/or defined as well during design time. The specificationof an interaction control on the conceptual level may be used inconjunction with a matching mechanism to evaluate whether a proposedalternative option for a given user interface element is a match orsuitable given the general requirements for that element. For example, ausage description language (see, e.g., United States Patent Application20150100905 Usage Description Language, filed Oct. 9, 2013) may be usedevaluate whether there is a match between the requirement and all of thepossible options for a given user interface element.

In a cloud-based implementation, the process described herein includingprocess 300 and/or 400 may enable user interface configurationconsistency and control. This configuration control may be performed asa cloud-based subscription service at server 150. When this is the case,an end-user may request to be notified about, for example, newlyprovisioned user interface control variants and/or to the amount oflikes any user interface control variant received. Moreover, the userinterface may present hints such as recommendations for suggested UIconfiguration control to improve consistency. In addition, the userinterface may present feedback to indicate a degree of consistency forthe user interface (e.g., within an application and/or acrossapplications). Furthermore, analytics may be generated regarding whichUI elements are preferred (or not preferred) to enable provisioning atother user interfaces.

During design time, software designers may run a report on userinterface elements used, by type and default options applied. Beforeshipping or deploying the software/service, the softwaredesigners/engineers may make the design more consistent as a defaultwith less effort, since they would be using preprogrammed parts (or,e.g., reuse components) rather than individually coding each single userinterface element.

During design time and/or during runtime, administrators, or, for thispurpose, “design facilitators” could configure the UIs on behalf of endusers, taking into account their background knowledge about end users'tastes or preferences, with the basic goal of establishing or ensuringsuch high-level design criteria as user interface consistency. With someadditional capabilities, such administrators could determine which userinterface elements may be configured by end users or not (whether endusers can override the defaults as provided by administrators). In anycase, the degree of user interface consistency and user satisfaction,easy-of-use can be enhanced.

FIG. 5A depicts a block diagram illustrating a computing system 500consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. Referringto FIGS. 1 and 5, the server may comprise at least one computing system500. Likewise, the user equipment may comprise at least one computingsystem.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the computing system 500 can include a processor510, a memory 520, a storage device 530, and input/output devices 540.The processor 510, the memory 520, the storage device 530, and theinput/output devices 540 can be interconnected via a system bus 550. Theprocessor 510 is capable of processing instructions for execution withinthe computing system 500. Such executed instructions can implement oneor more components of, for example, the configurator 152 and/or the userequipment 180A-N. In some example embodiments, the processor 510 can bea single-threaded processor. Alternately, the processor 510 can be amulti-threaded processor. The processor 510 is capable of processinginstructions stored in the memory 520 and/or on the storage device 530to display graphical information for a user interface provided via theinput/output device 540.

The memory 520 is a computer readable medium such as volatile ornon-volatile that stores information within the computing system 500.The memory 520 can store data structures representing configurationobject databases, for example. The storage device 530 is capable ofproviding persistent storage for the computing system 500. The storagedevice 530 can be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an opticaldisk device, or a tape device, or other suitable persistent storagemeans. The input/output device 540 provides input/output operations forthe computing system 500. In some example embodiments, the input/outputdevice 540 includes a keyboard and/or pointing device. In variousimplementations, the input/output device 540 includes a display unit fordisplaying graphical user interfaces.

According to some example embodiments, the input/output device 540 canprovide input/output operations for a network device. For example, theinput/output device 540 can include Ethernet ports or other networkingports to communicate with one or more wired and/or wireless networks(e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet).

In some example embodiments, the computing system 500 can be used toexecute various interactive computer software applications that can beused for organization, analysis and/or storage of data in variousformats. Alternatively, the computing system 500 can be used to executeany type of software applications. Upon activation within theapplications, the functionalities can be used to generate the userinterface provided via the input/output device 540. The user interfacecan be generated and presented to a user by the computing system 500(e.g., on a computer screen monitor, etc.).

FIG. 5B depicts a user interface element 560 and the correspondingoptions 562A-B provided by the configurator 152. Here, the options arepresented in response to selecting graphical indicator 207, which isincluded within element 560. FIG. 5B also shows selection at 564 ofoption 562A. FIG. 5C depicts the graphical indicator 207. Selecting thegraphical indicator 207 also causes a selection of an indication 567/569of how to apply the selection option. For example, is the selectedoption applied to only the current user interface element (as inindication 567) or to many user interface elements (as in indication569).

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described hereincan be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various aspects or features can include implementation in one ormore computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichcan be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Theprogrammable system or computing system may include clients and servers.A client and server are generally remote from each other and typicallyinteract through a communication network. The relationship of client andserver arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs,software, software applications, applications, components, or code,include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can beimplemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-orientedprogramming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As usedherein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computerprogram product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magneticdiscs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmableprocessor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machineinstructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readablesignal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/ordata to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can storesuch machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as woulda non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or anyequivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternativelyor additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner,such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random accessmemory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or featuresof the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube (CRT) ora liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitorfor displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the usermay provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used toprovide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedbackprovided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as forexample visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; andinput from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic,speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include touchscreens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-pointresistive or capacitive track pads, voice recognition hardware andsoftware, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capturedevices and associated interpretation software, and the like.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at leastone of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list ofelements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of twoor more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitlycontradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intendedto mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any ofthe recited elements or features in combination with any of the otherrecited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one ofA and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intendedto mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similarinterpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more ofA, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in theclaims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that anunrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desiredconfiguration. The implementations set forth in the foregoingdescription do not represent all implementations consistent with thesubject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examplesconsistent with aspects related to the described subject matter.Although a few variations have been described in detail above, othermodifications or additions are possible. In particular, further featuresand/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein.For example, the implementations described above can be directed tovarious combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed featuresand/or combinations and subcombinations of several further featuresdisclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in theaccompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily requirethe particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. Other implementations may be within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: at least one dataprocessor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, whenexecuted by the at least one data processor, cause operationscomprising: requesting a configuration of a user interface elementincluded in a user interface of an application being executed at, oraccessed by, the apparatus; presenting a configuration user interface toenable configuration of the user interface element, the configurationuser interface including at least one option for configuring the userinterface element included in the user interface, wherein theconfiguration user interface includes a first element causing the atleast one option to be applied to just the application, a second elementcausing the at least one option to be applied to a plurality ofapplications, a third element causing the at least one option to beapplied to other user interface elements displayed on a same screen asthe user interface of the application being executed at, or accessed by,the apparatus, and a fourth element causing the at least one option tobe applied to only the same type of user interface elements as the userinterface of the application being executed at, or accessed by, theapparatus; selecting the at least one option and at least one of thefirst element, the second element, the third element, and the fourthelement; and presenting, during runtime of at least the application, theuser interface element included in the user interface, the presenting inaccordance with the selected at least one option and the selected atleast one of the first element, the second element, the third element,and the fourth element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further causingoperations comprising: presenting, for the plurality of applicationsbeing executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus, other user interfaceelements in accordance with the selected at least one option and theselected at least one of the first element, the second element, thethird element, and the fourth element.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the requesting further causes operations comprising: sending, toa server, a message including an identity of the user interface elementbeing executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the message is sent in response to an indication of agraphical indicator being selected, wherein the graphical indicatortriggers the configuration of the user interface element, and whereinthe graphical indicator is presented adjacent to the user interfaceelement to indicate that the user interface element is configurable byan end-user at runtime.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further causingoperations comprising: sending, to the server, informationrepresentative of the identity of the user interface element, theselection of the at least one option, and the selection of at least oneof the first element, the second element, the third element, and thefourth element.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further causing operationscomprising: receiving, from the server and in response to the sending,configuration information to enable presenting, at the apparatus, theuser interface element included in the user interface.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the configuration user interface includes a fifthelement causing the selected at least one option to be applied tosimilar types of user interface elements as the user interface elementof the application being executed at, or accessed by, the apparatus. 8.A method, comprising: requesting a configuration of a user interfaceelement associated with a user interface of an application beingexecuted at, or accessed by, a user equipment; presenting aconfiguration user interface to enable configuration of the userinterface element, the configuration user interface including at leastone option for configuring the user interface element included in theuser interface, wherein the configuration user interface includes afirst element causing the at least one option to be applied to just theapplication, a second element causing the at least one option to beapplied to a plurality of applications, a third element causing the atleast one option to be applied to other user interface elementsdisplayed on a same screen as the user interface of the applicationbeing executed at, or accessed by, the user equipment, and a fourthelement causing the at least one option to be applied to only the sametype of user interface elements as the user interface of the applicationbeing executed at, or accessed by, the user equipment; selecting the atleast one option and at least one of the first element, the secondelement, the third element, and the fourth element; and presenting,during runtime of at least the application, the user interface elementincluded in the user interface, the presenting in accordance with theselected at least one option and the selected at least one of the firstelement, the second element, the third element, and the fourth element.9. The method of claim 8 further comprising: presenting, for theplurality of applications being executed at, or accessed by, the userequipment, other user interface elements in accordance with the selectedat least one option and the selected at least one of the first element,the second element, the third element, and the fourth element.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the requesting further comprises: sending, toa server, a message including an identity of the user interface elementbeing executed at, or accessed by the user equipment.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the message is sent in response to an indication of agraphical indicator being selected, wherein the graphical indicatortriggers the configuration of the user interface element, and whereinthe graphical indicator is presented adjacent to the user interfaceelement to indicate that the user interface element is configurable byan end-user at runtime.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:sending, to the server, information representative of the identity ofthe user interface element, the selection of the at least one option,and the selection of at least one of the first element, the secondelement, the third element, and the fourth element.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: receiving, from the server and in responseto the sending, configuration information to enable presenting, at theuser equipment, the user interface element included in the userinterface.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the configuration userinterface includes a fifth element causing the selected option to beapplied to similar types of user interface elements as the userinterface element of the application being executed at, or accessed bythe user equipment.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium which when executed by at least one processor causes operationscomprising: requesting a configuration of a user interface elementassociated with a user interface of an application being executed at, oraccessed by, a user equipment; presenting a configuration user interfaceto enable configuration of the user interface element, the configurationuser interface including at least one option for configuring the userinterface element included in the user interface, wherein theconfiguration user interface includes a first element causing the atleast one option to be applied to just the application, a second elementcausing the at least one option to be applied to a plurality ofapplications, a third element causing the at least one option to beapplied to other user interface elements displayed on a same screen asthe user interface of the application being executed at, or accessed by,the user equipment, and a fourth element causing the at least one optionto be applied to only the same type of user interface elements as theuser interface of the application being executed at, or accessed by, theuser equipment; selecting the at least one option and at least one ofthe first element, the second element, the third element, and the fourthelement; and presenting, during runtime of at least the application, theuser interface element included in the user interface, the presenting inaccordance with the selected at least one option and the selected atleast one of the first element, the second element, the third element,and the fourth element.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15 further causing operations comprising: presenting,for the plurality of applications being executed at, or accessed by, theuser equipment, other user interface elements in accordance with theselected at least one option and the selected at least one of the firstelement, the second element, the third element, and the fourth element.17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15further causing operations comprising: sending, to a server, a messageincluding an identity of the user interface element being executed at,or accessed by, the user equipment.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the message issent in response an indication of a graphical indicator being selected,wherein the graphical indicator triggers the configuration of the userinterface element, and wherein the graphical indicator is presentedadjacent to the user interface element to indicate that the userinterface element is configurable by an end-user at runtime.